The Forsaken Destiny

"Don't worry about me, I can save myself," I insisted. Covyn chuckled.

"Stubborn kid," he said, rubbing his forehead. "No wonder your mom yells at you." He actually thought that was funny?

"My mom never does that!" I yelled, pointing.

I kicked him hard. He doubled over, groaning. I ran, leaping off the platform before it rose too high. I landed in the grass, watching him.

"You little brat!" he roared. "I'll kick your ass!"

Covyn chuckled, already moving. He leaped, sword flashing, white energy sparking. A clang of metal echoed, followed by a thud. I covered my ears, then peeked out. He was walking toward me, sword in hand. The scientist was fleeing.

"Go after him!" I shouted, pointing.

"Waste of time," he scoffed. Disappointment burned. He was infuriating!

I started after the scientist, but Covyn blocked my way. My fists clenched. My temper was about to explode.

"Don't bother catching him, you're just risking your life, little girl," Covyn said, chuckling arrogantly.

"Fine," I replied, taking a deep breath. "Let's make a deal."

He smirked. "What deal?" Interest flickered in his eyes.

"Five bucks if I catch him," I offered. His eyes sparkled.

He stroked his chin. "Sure. Make sure you pay up." He leaned close, then chuckled, pulling back.

I couldn't believe it, but it was the only way. I ran, scanning the area. I spotted a white lab coat at the edge of the building. He ran. I chased him through alleyways, but he was too quick. He vanished.

I searched, but found nothing. Then, footsteps behind me. A tap on my shoulder. I whirled, ready to punch.

He blocked my punch, gripping my arm. "Whoa, I'm not the mad scientist, young lady," he said, chuckling arrogantly.

Damn him.

"So, how's the deal?" he queried, smiling.

"I didn't catch him," I stated.

"Okay, I'll catch him. Five bucks," he offered. I glared.

I sighed. "Deal."

"I have a demon's sense. Trust me," he bragged, looking down at me condescendingly. Who did he think he was?

"I'll wait in town," I uttered, heading off.

He chuckled. "You'll pay up," he called after me, winking.

Frustration simmered. He was even more arrogant than I thought. Abusive, even. He'd need more than five bucks to buy some manners.

As I walked, I heard the clouds murmuring. I saw Claudia in the distance, waving frantically.

"Darcy! Where have you been?!" she shouted, running toward me. "I've been looking everywhere!"

"Just strolling," I mumbled, raising an eyebrow.

She frowned. "Forget it." She linked arms with me, and we started walking.

Astra appeared, glancing at me. "What happened?"

"A thief," I lied. "I chased him."

"Catch him?"

"No. He escaped. Someone helped him hide," I pronounced, sighed in disbelief.

"Too bad," she commented.

We walked, but the events replayed in my mind. Covyn. He'd agreed to save thousands, for five bucks. Money over lives. What if his family were in danger? Would he still choose money?

COVYN'S PLACE

Covyn hunted the scientist, muttering about the five bucks. He spotted him threatening someone with a knife. Covyn leaped over a rope, pursuing him.

"Wouldn't have done this for less than five bucks," he grumbled.

"You can't catch me!" the scientist laughed.

Covyn, sword held high, jumped across rooftops, closing in. But the scientist fired a net gun, trapping Covyn and sending him flying.

"Now how do I get out of this?" he groaned.

He wrestled with the net, a frantic spider struggling free of its own silken trap. He inched toward his sword, a desperate lunge for salvation, finally seizing the hilt. With the blade, he sliced through the mesh, freeing himself like a bird escaping a cage.

"Where is that lunatic?!" he roared, frustration a bitter taste in his mouth. "That weasel tricked me!"

"My five bucks—and the potential for a fortune—turned to dust," he groaned, sucking in a lungful of air.

He launched himself across rooftops, a dark silhouette against the twilight sky, finally landing in the town square. Exhausted, he looked like a warrior battered by a thousand battles. He spotted Neima and Marcelene, their faces etched with concern.

"Where in the blazes have you been?" Neima demanded, her voice sharp as shattered glass.

"Catching the mad scientist for a reward," he replied, his tone flat.

Neima rolled her eyes, her expression as cold as winter ice. "Whatever that maniac is doing, it's none of your concern, even if he's raising an army of the undead," she dismissed him.

"But if he succeeds, this town will become a tomb!" Marcelene protested, but Neima cut her off with a wave of her hand.

"The girl promised a reward," Covyn said, a hint of stubborn pride in his voice.

"Just for money? Are you serious?" Neima asked, her gaze sweeping the anxious faces around them. "We could shake down the whole town for their life savings," she muttered darkly.

"Do you think their petty cash is enough?" Covyn shook his head, his voice firm. "That girl made a promise, and a deal's a deal."

Neima scoffed, a cynical smirk playing on her lips. She linked arms with Marcelene and swept away, leaving Covyn alone, his frustration a palpable cloud hanging in the air. He began searching for my house, spotting me amidst the throng. He'd failed to capture the scientist, a victim of his own twisted ambition and the relentless pressure to achieve scientific glory.

This man's obsession with money was baffling. What would he even do with it in this town? What could he possibly buy? Was he planning to amass a fortune and somehow escape? Everyone knew escape was impossible. Those who tried always returned, trapped in this nightmarish land.

"He seems to be looking for you," Solari said, having observed from the sidelines.

"He'll be looking here, let's hide!" Astra urged, and we ducked beneath the windowpanes.

"Why's he looking for you?" Claudia inquired.

"We made a deal. Five bucks if he caught the mad scientist," I explained.

Claudia coughed. "Oh my god, are you serious about that?!" she exclaimed, her voice dripping with disbelief.